SERVICE NEEDS AMONG OLDER ADULTS AT RISK FOR FINANCIAL ELDER ABUSE

Abstract

It is estimated that 5 percent of older adults within the United States experience some form of financial exploitation (Acierno, et al., 2010; Conrad et al., 2011). Examples of financial exploitation include scams, thefts, and abuse of trust to misappropriate money or property. Using the Anderson Model for Health Service Use, we tested whether the experience of financial exploitation increased likelihood of using mental health or financial services. Methods: For this descriptive, cross-sectional study, ninety-nine older adults at risk for elder abuse were recruited and interviewed from community-based agencies. Standardized measures were used for elder mistreatment, depression, trauma, and service use. Bivariate analysis tested whether financial exploitation is directly associated with depression and current trauma symptoms. Logistic regression tested likelihood of using mental health and other services. Results: Participants were above age 60, mostly widowed or divorced, females, with about half living alone. Eleven percent reported experiencing some form of financial exploitation. Financial exploitation was associated with worse trauma symptoms and depression. While the service most frequently used linked to physical health, aging services, and religious supports, few used mental health services. Experience of financial exploitation and current mental health symptoms were not significantly predictive of use of mental health services. Implications: Given the potential mental health impacts of financial exploitation, it is alarming few reported current service use and neither the experience of mental health symptoms or financial exploitation was a driving need for service use. Thus, interventions need to consider how to enhance response to mental health symptoms